Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:1-9 talks about acquiring wisdom. Listen to the instruction. Pay/give attention that you will gain understanding. He gives sound teaching. Never abandon His instruction. "Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live." Acquire wisdom and understanding. Do not forget or turn away from the words of His mouth. Do not forsake Wisdom and she will guard you. Love her and she will watch over you. If we acquire wisdom and keep her and listen to her then she will be watching over us. The beginning of wisdom or the first step is to acquire it. And when you finally receive it then you will gain understanding. If you prize her and embrace her then she will exalt and honor you. This is a benefit of wisdom.

Proverbs 4:10-19 talks about avoiding bad company. In verse 10 like before in a previous chapter the reward is the same when listening to wisdom. "The years of your life will be many." In verse 11 and 12, Wisdom's way is an upright path, straight and level where when we walk in wisdom our steps will not be impeded nor will we stumble. "Take hold of instructions, do not let go. Guard her, for she is your live." Don't enter the path of the wicked. Avoid it, do not pass by it. Turn away from it and pass on. The evil man will not and can not sleep unless they have done evil and caused someone to stumble. In verse 18 and 19 it says but the path of the righteousness is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don not know over what they stumble. Another one of wisdom's benefits is that it will be a guidance to us in the way of righteousness when we follow it.

Proverbs 4:20-27 talks about how we should watch ourselves. Solomon keeps saying "Give attention to my words. Incline your ears to my sayings." In every chapter I've read so far he always says a form of this. He wants the son who is listening to pay close attention to what he has to say and to get it through into his head. His sayings don't let them depart from your sight. Keep them in the midst of your heart. Verse 22 says they are life to those who find them, and health to all their body. More benefits of wisdom. "Watch over you heart with all diligence. Put away from your deceitful mouth and devious speech keep far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. This can be hard sometimes. I tend to look back. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; Turn your foot from evil.

This is what I learned from reading Proverbs 4.